Crash leaves animal charity without a van

A BURTON animal centre has been thrown into crisis after being temporarily left without its van after it was involved in an accident.

Lindsay Newell, who runs Burton Wildlife and Rescue and Animal Centre, in Stapenhill, was loading her van in Wyggeston Street, Horninglow, on Saturday, when it was hit from behind by another car.

The force of the crash threw the side door of the van into Miss Newell, striking her head.

She said: “I was collecting donations, and as I was loading my van an individual hit the back of it. The side door slid forward and hit my head.” Though she was left shaken, Miss Newell was not seriously hurt in the incident and quickly became more concerned for the state of her van, which she said was crucial to the running of the notfor- profit charity, after surveying the damage.

Although the centre has been provided with a courtesy car. She says it does not meet the same standard, and is appealing for another vehicle should the main one be off the road — such as it is now.

Miss Newell said: “It’s just not our charity van. We can’t do the things we need to do with it. We were meant to be moving horses this weekend, we can’t attach trailers to it, it’s just delaying everything we’re doing.

“Losing the van has been a big blow, ideally we need another vehicle in case anything like this ever happens again, we’re stuck without one. The insurance company won’t be happy with us putting animals in the back of the courtesy car, so we’ve got to be careful what we use it for.”

How long the centre will remain without the van is unclear, with Miss Newell currently involved in discussions with her insurers.

The centre is looking to buy another van and anyone who may be able to help is asked to call 07780 742748.